A Kansas, Ill., upbringing places Kuykendall's intonations in a different time zone. Think Paul Westerberg's post-Replacements major label work or Jeff Tweedy before the recording budget.

Fresh off producing a new EP, "Nashville 48," which was recorded in the country music capital, Honey Blue comes to The Melting Point with a brand new drummer in tow. Since they performed with only a washboard as percussion until very recently, a live drum kit should be quite a transition for the band.

The lack of drums on their most recent record and their 2010 "Broken Places" LP keeps Honey Blue's songs simple, stopping them from frolicking into Southern rock territory,

Kuykendall said drums open up new avenues for the band to start exploring new sounds.

But he said there's no telling if their next record will be some psychedelic, backwards tape loop romp through the St. Simons subconscious.

"I write really simple songs," he said. "But I want to use them as a base to branch out."

Songs like "Bedfellow," off the new EP, or "A Town, Note Even," an older tune, showcase the band's gruff, simple songwriting in the tradition of those Midwestern songwriters, without subtracting the St. Simons roots. "Sweet and Broken," a track off "Broken Places," finds the band working through a strong Uncle Tupelo addiction.

Wednesday's show at The Melting Point is billed as a St. Simons showcase, as everyone in Honey Blue, except Kuykendall, is a native, as are the Dukes of Glynn. Supporting act Greg Hester is a regular on the coastal Georgia bar circuit.

- André Gallant, Staff

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